LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 106

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106

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

The vision for this triennium, “Faithful Witnesses,” has four
areas of emphasis. They are “Growing Together in the Word,”
“Healthy Servants,” “Peaceful Ministries,” and “Mission-Focused
Congregations.”
Growing Together in the Word—The 500th anniversary of the
Reformation provides an opportunity for a renewed emphasis on
the study of God’s Word. The intent is that the professional conferences would include significant time and emphasis on the study of
the Word for the growth and edification of ordained and commissioned ministers.
Healthy Servants—The Missouri District will provide support to
better care for its workers. Staff member Rev. Gene Wyssmann will
devote more time and energy to this area. The district is also adding
volunteer chaplains and a deaconess to better care for our workers.
Peaceful Ministries—The District is partnering with
Ambassadors of Reconciliation to offer a district-wide workshop and
to also offer cycles of training for the circuit visitors, district reconcilers, praesidium, and interested commissioned ministers.
Mission-Focused Congregations—There will be a district-wide
outreach emphasis in 2017. The Plus One Initiative is assisting every
congregation to reach out to its respective community in one new way.
This initiative will include an outreach conference that will include
partners such as the LCMS Office of National Mission, Lutheran
Hour Ministries, Lutheran Church Extension Fund, and Concordia
Seminary. An equally important component will be training 60 facilitators to work with congregations across the district to implement
and evaluate their plans for community engagement. The district service boards are working in collaboration to prepare for this emphasis
with staff member Rev. Dr. Stuart Brassie.
The district leadership has been involved in discussions with
the Office of National Mission and congregations in north St. Louis
County after the unrest in Ferguson. Efforts are underway toward
establishing “The Lutheran Hope Center” in Ferguson to focus on
teaching the Christian faith to children and families and on “mercy”
work for those in need. Another area of particular growth is outreach
to Nepalese and Burmese immigrants and refugees in South St. Louis
through congregations working in conjunction with Christian Friends
of New Americans. There are an increasing number of congregations
working in partnership across the district. These partnerships often
include large and small parishes in small towns, urban, and suburban
settings. The district granted more than $2.3 million in the triennium
for district mission efforts.
Dennis Gehrke retired as assistant to the president for Lutheran
schools after nearly ten years of service. Alan Freeman succeeded
Gehrke in this role in spring 2016. Among the tasks being undertaken by the Board for Congregational Services is the responsibility
for district convention Res. 2-02, requesting creative approaches to
promoting Lutheran schools.
The challenges facing congregations in Missouri are significant.
We live in a culture that is hostile to the Gospel and to Christ’s Church.
Yet we have a gracious God who provides for His Church through
His blessed Word and Sacraments. The Lord also gifted His Church
with a diversity of gifts witnessed in His saints. In John 17, our Lord
bids His Church to remain “in the Word” and “in the world.” The Lord
sanctifies us in the truth of His Word and then sends us out into the
world with that Word. The Missouri District will continue to serve
and encourage congregations to fulfill the Great Commission and to
be “Faithful Witnesses.”
R. Lee Hagan, President

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Montana District
“There is no other name under heaven given among men by which
we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). These words form the theme for the
Montana District 2015−2018 triennium. They also articulate the scandal of exclusiveness that creates conflict with so many institutions of
authority in our nation. As one Christian denomination after another
falls to compromising the name of Jesus in favor of favor with these
other names, we are reminded by these words that God sent His Son,
Jesus, to be the salvation of the world. Only in His name, by faith in
His name, are our sins forgiven and our lives restored to an everlasting life with Him in heaven. This is the Good News we are bound to
proclaim to each other and to the world.
During the past triennium, the Montana District completed work
on one mission start, Shepherd of the Valley, Thompson Falls, and
began work on the next, Emmaus Lutheran Mission in Big Timber
and Livingston. We also received new congregations: River of Life
in Laurel and Living Water in Dillon. We are thankful to God that the
name of Jesus continues to be proclaimed by the pastors of the district and that, by the grace of God, people are responding. Our goal
for the next triennium is to stabilize Emmaus and begin work on our
next mission start.
In accordance with 2013 Synod Res. 7-04A, the Montana District,
during the previous triennium, evaluated its own viability by discussing and responding to the principles of viability on two separate
occasions at Montana District Board of Directors meetings. In addition, the principles were sent to the presidents of each Montana
District congregation for consideration, and the delegates from each
congregation were asked to respond during the June 2015 Montana
District convention. The results are as follows:
Does the district do the following:
1.

Provide resources for the district president to carry out ecclesiastical supervision as defined in the Synod’s Constitution (Art. XII) and
Bylaws (Bylaw 1.2.1 [g]) in a reasonable and timely manner?
Yes, and in fact, the leaders and congregations of the Montana
District find the size of this district to be ideal on this count.
The district president is able to perform his duties in accordance
with these citations with a minimum of assistance. The Montana
District employs a part-time assistant and part-time treasurer.
2. Provide resources for the district president in carrying out the
minimum requirements for official visits to each of the member congregations as outlined in Bylaws 4.4.4ff., including coming to the
pastors and member congregations at least once every three years as
a brotherly adviser, “reminding them of the joy of serving in the mission and ministry of the church”?
Yes, and in fact, the leaders and congregations of the Montana
District find the size of this district to be ideal on this count. The
district president is able to visit congregations and pastors personally. Such visits are found to be beneficial to the health and
growth of the district.
3. Provide appropriate guidance and support to member congregations
for participating in the mission God has given to the Church, including how that is carried out in the various missions and ministries of
the church?
Yes, and in fact, the leaders and congregations of the Montana
District find the size of this district to be ideal on this count. The
triennial visits of the district president are primarily encouragements to participate in the mission on the district and Synod
level. In addition, the Montana District newsletter has the same
goal.
4. Provide encouragement and needed congregational services (e.g.,
stewardship, conflict resolution, crisis counseling, financial counseling, calling process, collaborative efforts, networking, nourishment,
and help with evangelistic outreach, etc.) to member congregations,

2016 Convention Workbook